Neighbors object to high-density projects proposed for Annandale
At the final meeting of the Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) proposals submitted for Mason District, local residents voiced concerns about traffic congestion, overflow parking, and quality of life issues.
The proposal generating the most opposition at the April 21 meeting calls for a five-story multifamily project on a 1.8-site at 6675 Little River Turnpike between Columbia Road and Randolph Drive in Annandale.
The site is currently occupied by Pro Computers; Miracle Garden Center, which has permanently closed; and a single-family house.
The proposal calls for 186 residential units and up to 17,000 square feet of community-serving retail in a five-story building, said land use attorney Sara Mariska. It would include underground parking. A courtyard and 25-foot buffer would separate the development from a single-family neighborhood at the rear of the property.
Several residents referred to the proposed building as a “monstrosity” incompatible with the surrounding single-family neighborhood. A couple of people suggested a small townhouse development as an alternative.
Related story: Planning Commission rejects development proposal for Little River Turnpike
The plan presented at the meeting “is just a potential concept,” Mariska said.
A similar proposal was presented during the previous SSPA process two years ago, but was not accepted by county officials.
The current proposal “is even bigger and more out of place” – with an additional 81 units – than the previous one, noted one nearby resident.
Related story: Seven Corners residents oppose housing proposal at the Jefferson
If the project is allowed to go forward, several residents complained, existing traffic congestion would get worse, overflow parking would clog neighborhood streets, schools would become overcrowded, and the increased amount of impervious surfaces would cause basement flooding.
One resident noted the property owner overpaid for the property – it was acquired for $2.75 million in 2021 – and now needs to pack as many units into the space as possible to recoup his investment.
Another SSPA proposal in Annandale, at 7616 Little River Turnpike, also drew numerous complaints about traffic, overflow parking, and excess density.
The five-acre site consists of a nine-story office building, a virtually vacant six-story office building, and a smaller vacant commercial structure.
Related story: Multifamily housing and gas station proposed for Mason District
The first phase of the project, proposed by Nicholas Development, calls for converting the smaller office building to multifamily housing. The Wells Fargo Bank on the ground floor would remain. That effort can proceed without a plan amendment. The other building would remain an office building and would have additional ground-floor retail.
Future phases would include another multifamily building with seven stories, a three-story residential building, and a one or two-story retail building.
Several people said an overly dense development is incompatible with single-family homes. As one resident put it, “This would totally overwhelm the neighborhood.”
A similar proposal was put forth by Nicholas Development in 2020. That proposal generated significant opposition from residents of the nearby single-family neighborhood and was ultimately not included in the Comprehensive Plan Work Program.
Related story: Planning Commission endorses a revised redevelopment plan for western Annandale
Another proposal presented at the meeting would turn the shopping center anchored by the New Grand Mart grocery store at 6259 Little River Turnpike in Lincolnia into a huge mixed-use development.
The preliminary concept, described by land use attorney Evan Pritchard, includes a five-story multifamily building with 275 units; a seven-story multifamily building with 400 units; a 150,000-square-foot 10-story building that could be senior housing or a hotel; 25,000 square feet of retail, most of it along Little River Turnpike; and a parking garage.
In addition to Grand Mart, the eight-acre property has a retail strip, an Exxon gas station, and free-standing buildings with KFC, Taco Bamba, and Mama’s Chicken. The site is in between Beauregard Street, the Alexandria City border at Bragg Street, and the Morningside Apartments.
There is already a lot of traffic in that area, and it would get worse if the project goes forward, said a nearby resident. According to Pritchard, the number of traffic trips would actually decline.
If approved, construction is years away, but Pritchard said he hopes at least some of the existing businesses could be incorporated into the new buildings.
The fourth project described at the meeting calls for additional affordable housing at Strawbridge Square at Lincoln Avenue and Eighth Street in Lincolnia.
Strawbridge Square has 128 units, including 42 apartments and 86 townhouses. The owner, Wesley Housing, is proposing to replace some of the existing housing with up to four four-story buildings to increase the community size to 131 units.
The concept hasn’t been finalized, Mariska said. “Wesley Housing is exploring options to expand and address the need for affordable housing.”
Some of the new construction could be built on the surface parking lot. A Lincolnia Park resident said the area is already too dense with a lot of overflow parking. He questioned whether there would be enough parking for the new units.
Mariska suggested if the project goes forward, there would likely be .7 spaces per unit. She said the future residents would like have fewer cars than residents of less-affordable housing.
Of the 43 SSPA proposals in the works for Fairfax County, 11 are in Mason District. Proposals for Bren Mar Park and Lincolnia were presented at a community meeting on April 9. A meeting on April 10 discussed proposed projects in Seven Corners and Bailey’s Crossroads.
The next step calls for the Planning Commission to hold a workshop with an opportunity for public comment. The Planning Commission will then recommend which projects should be added to the Comprehensive Plan Work Program. The work program will then be approved by the Board of Supervisors.
33 responses to “Neighbors object to high-density projects proposed for Annandale”
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OMG -these developers have lost their minds. The fact that these plans are even being discussed demonstrate the cluelessness of our county execs as compared to reality. Schools for the kids? -Naaa don’t worry…traffic…naaaa…don’t worry…. And…I am laughing hysterically because wait till the new hospital and town center and the other new residences/commercial come on line where the old Big Lots and Chi Chi’s was come to fruition…New York city traffic will seem like a vacation compared to Little River Turnpike/Duke street and Beauregard…ahhh..but alas…the educated folks (snark) on the BoS will magically transform traffic lanes into bike lanes providing ample space for rickshaws to freely move people about…or put congestion pricing tolls into place….which the BoS will then use lower our property taxes…(laughing hysterically again).
Your elected Board of Supervisors takes care of their developer donations first and always.
I support all of these proposals! The annoying NIMBYs should move to West Virginia and remain stuck in 1985. Let Mason modernize, develop, and grow like the rest of NoVA.
This guy gets it! Let’s catch up with the rest of NOVA
Amen! New residents moving in are ushering in the welcome map for modern mixed use development and growth! It’s time Annandale catapult into the 21st century!
You want dense develop go live in DC or Arlington. I did and I saved up for a down payment (forever) to buy a single family home to raise my kids in. Now you want to change the rules, negativity impact my quality of life and investment, as well as “name call” people like me. I will own the NIMBY label because I work hard to get what this community has.
Here comes the NIMBYs…
The council folks and developers seem to want to turn Annandale into Arlington as soon as possible. It’s already too crowded but let’s build nothing but multi-units and apartments. Yuck.
As long as it gentrifies Annandale and kicks the lower class, I’m all for it. They should consider demolishing Fairmont and the apartments across the street, and build brand new luxury townhouses/homes. I’m tired of all the beggars and crime in the area.
I grew up in section 8 housing. I’m a college graduate who works for a research organization and I make 6 figures a year and have never relied on assistance as an adult. My family was able to leave the cycle of poverty with this help. Shut up.
You are the exception, not the rule.
May you have a wonderful life …
YOU ARE the lower class!!!!!
This is the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen. “I hate poor people!!!” Why?
I support building mixed use development in Annandale. And for the commentator who had to throw bike lanes into the conversation, I support that as well! Can’t wait for Capital Bikeshare stations to start popping up in Annandale and allowing me to run short errands outside of my car. Bring on the modernization and density!
YES! Every part of the county needs to have more housing, even sites that back up to single-family neighborhoods. This is how we will thrive-by being inclusive. The key is to get the traffic plans in place sooner rather than later.
How will you be able to ride? It’s so congested. People don’t even follow road rules. They even park on bike lanes and nothing happens.
The county supervisors refuse to get it. In their never ending appetite for revenues they keep allowing this multi-unit projects to be submitted for consideration. Annandale is suburbia, meaning lower density, more open spaces, less traffic, less crime, better education for the children. Changing this town into an urban area is not what the suburban neighbors bought when they moved into our neighborhoods.
Please respect the will of the people.
Gosh, I’d hate to ruin the “character” of a multi-lane highway surrounded by strip-malls and parking lots by building desperately needed housing and small businesses that might actually generate tax revenue and breath life into the community (assuming the council actually flexes its muscle and makes sure to keep rents within reason). Next thing you know, someone’s going to suggest adding bus service, a bike trail, or even a light rail on Little River Turnpike so that maybe people without a car could get places. For shame. Won’t somebody think of the cars? Where will we be able to park our private property on public land without paying for it?
Keep Annandale’s character as a town people drive through at high speeds to get somewhere else for work or pleasure!
^Love.
Matt – there are those of us that thought of your ideas – 30 years ago – you see how the leaders of Fairfax (and upper West Alexandria) have done over the past 30 years. A light rail from the foot of King Street to out past Fairfax City was put forth years and years ago…Keep dreaming – and…oh BTW…not one poster addressed traffic and schools in any serious manner – just “build more stuff.”
As an Annandale resident and homeowner – I’m all for these proposed mixed use developments. It will hopefully increase the diversity of local businesses, and create a justification for enhanced transit services and investment in walkable infrastructure. And while these proposed developments certainly aren’t architectural marvels – they’re better than the hodgepodge assortment of blighted buildings we have squatting on many lots throughout Annandale.
Look at annadale trying to be the next city of alexandria. These 5 over 1’s would look horrifically out of place in annandale.
MAKE the INSANITY STOP.
I live next door to the proposed development between Columbia Road and Randolph St in Aspen Hill. I am all for bringing a mixed use project if it includes a Trader Joe’s and some stores that we actually need.
You do know that is a representation of a possible store, right? They show Trader Joes but it will end up being something so far off from it, that you’ll be disappointed. A shell game by the developers is all smoke and mirrors.
I live next door as well, and I will oppose this development as planned. We have no sidewalks or other pedestrian safety measures for residents who already live here. The speed bumps barely slow cars down. It is ridiculous to plop high-density development into a place like this while completely ignoring safety concerns of current residents.
I’ve heard every excuse to Sunday as to why sidewalks cannot be installed- no space, too expensive, would have to accommodate ADA requirements, and on and on. Demand proffers from developers to make the surrounding areas safer for current residents.
Proper more dense and affordable living is what it necessary. Increase density around corridors with public transportation.
Let the community evolve towards a sustainable future.
Maybe that’s what buyers in 1991 expected, but as someone who recently moved in, along with my neighbors, I wholeheartedly support these projects and overall modernization, development, growth, and evolution of Annandale.
If this development get rid of the sex toy shop on LRT and the tacky vape stores I’m all for it. Annandale is a fantastic location inside the beltway that is long overdue for development.
If there is more development in Annandale then the County needs to have more room in schools for additional children, they need to improve the Stormwater management issues, they would need to have additional police and EMT personnel, and the County would need to improve the amount of green space and tree canopy to help ease the problem of Annandale being a major “hot spot” in Northern Virginia. Unfortunately, the County never commits to improving these issues. The just want to build without improving the infrastructure to support the development.
Higher density development is more efficient at funding the types of services you are describing. You get more tax revenue out of the same area that is developed.
My parents bought a house here to raise a family and then I lived in Annandale as an adult as well, and it’s clear that Annandale is an area that should be allowed to change to facilitate the needs, not desires, of the population. Reading everyone complain about how it’s going to change the area around their house is appalling. Getting really sick of all of these people essentially saying “**** you, I got mine” when it comes to housing. No one is tearing your house down, they’re just talking about letting other people have homes too. Rich, white suburbanites aren’t the only people living here. Northern Virginia continues to grow in population, and doesn’t have nearly enough housing. I’m sorry that you for some reason thought that buying a house this close to the city was going to give you a quiet, secluded, 1960s suburban home, but let’s be honest. The reason you bought here and not West Virginia is because of its proximity to DC and to try to have it both ways is appallingly selfish. The lack of development is artificial to the area, because there are needs the market would and should be fulfilling being blocked by people like you. We have families of six or more people living in single bedroom apartments because we don’t have enough housing for it to be affordable. But you don’t care, do you? You only care about your property value (because you’re rich enough to think of your house as an investment of wealth instead of just a safe place to sleep), how much time you spend in traffic driving to Giant, and having to look at non-white or poor people near your neighborhoods. NIMBYs are ruining Annandale and allowing it to degrade into a rundown, out of place time capsule.
You want to reduce the crime? Allow the natural development that should be happening so Annandale can become a more affluent area. You want to reduce traffic? Make Annandale walkable and bikeable. As for commuters cutting through Annandale from further out (where the main traffic is coming from), that’s an issue which allowing Annandale to be a modern, appropriately developed area isn’t the problem causing OR the solution to. That’s a natural symptom of proximity to DC and they will keep cutting through Annandale from areas further out that DO allow more development and housing. Easing the stressors of that is an entirely separate issue, unrelated to whether or not mixed use development should be allowed.
This is really a matter of taste more than anything, and the people rich or retired enough to show up to these meetings instead of work and complain are not representative of the majority of people affected. I know you worked hard to get your home and selling to move somewhere further out and less developed would bum you out but holding the entire area’s future hostage to your convenience and personal tastes is ridiculous.
The only concerns that make any sense outside of just being a horrible, self-centered human being are of the reduction of green areas and increase of impermeable surfaces but don’t lie to yourselves… Outside of the single family home neighborhoods, Annandale is already a concrete slab. I would love to see more development, and that development must include an increase of green areas- grass, trees, etc. to help with population, the heat, flooding, and the mental health of residents.
Now I know someone is probably gonna angrily and defensively reply to this, attacking some detail or my tone instead of the content of the message, or merely further showing how self-absorbed they are (and likely totally unaware that that’s what they are doing) but you are the person who needs to hear this. You need to self-reflect and develop the ability to care about anyone other than yourself and the people you’re immediately connected to. God forbid you should find yourself without a house or means to buy one again, but that might be the only way you really get it.
This area has missed out on so many opportunities to modernize over the years. Do the naysayers realize that there is not even one major retail store in Mason District other than the small Home Depot? It is really sad that the Salvation Army is the largest clothing store here. Do they realize that there is not even one public swimming pool in Mason District? Most of the district is stuck in the 1960s & 70s. There are no safe sidewalks/bike paths that can take you from LRT to anywhere. Backlick road and Braddock rd haven’t changed at all since they were built in the 1970s: narrow lanes with no or only skinny sidewalks. Why is the intersection at Braddock & Backlick, especially the left turn from Backlick to westbound B, exactly the same as it was at the turn of the century? It was horrible when I was house hunting right after 9-11 and it is still just as miserable. In fact it is worse. The line to turn left was back to the end of the church parking lot during rush hour. Now the back-up is all the way to Edsall Road. That the former Mason District Supervisor was not inclined to let a single penny be spent in Mason District. There is no rapid transit and likely will never. When I go to the Mosaic district or Tysons or Crystal City office building parts of Tysons, I remember how run down & ramshackle those areas were. Then all I can think of is how similar most of “downtown” Annandale still is. It was all fine and good to be frugal with the district budget but it didn’t stop the other districts using what should have been spent here.